Love note from Jeff City

Greetings, My Fellow Missourians

History is a passion of mine, especially when it’s local around Iconium and the area I grew up and have lived all my life. It was my pleasure to be a tour guide when asked by my Uncle Howard Hart. Uncle Howard was the host for about 20 members of the Sho Me Mo Sams RV Club. The RV Club spent a week at the Osceola RV Park and came out to Iconium for a hayride and tour of the Iconium area. Before noon they toured the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation followed by lunch at the Iconium Store outdoors on the picnic tables. On a side note I noticed a good many of them enjoying the iconic Nehi Peach Float. At 1:00 pm we all boarded the trailer to head east bound on the very road that was once called the Warsaw to Osceola Road. For the next 3 plus hours and about a 12 mile circle thru the hills and hollers of Hogles Creek and the Benton, St. Clair County Lines I presented a good many stories about our local history beginning in 1840. Our first story was about how Iconium was once referred to as ToadSuck, followed by how the road was used to deliver freight from Warsaw to Osceola. In the early years of Steamboat navigation on the Osage River supplies could be shipped upriver as far as Warsaw nearly year round, later by the time of the Civil War the Osage had navigation improvements made that allowed travel to Osceola year round. This helped Osceola become the largest population center in Western Missouri with approximate 2,000 residents.

Our first stop was the Ole Suiter Cemetery located on the County Line and Hogles Creek. It’s a little long so I will post it in next week’s report along with stories about the Shiloh Tabernacle/Campgrounds and the Shiloh Skirmish in following reports this Fall.

Upcoming events: Confederate Memorial State Historic Site hosts public information meeting Oct. 10

Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting for Confederate Memorial State Historic Site at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 in the chapel.

The public is invited to share comments about the historic site and its operations during the meeting. Staff will be present to provide information and answer questions.

Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings, which are being held in all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give staff the opportunity to inform the public of the current status and future plans for the park or historic site, while also offering visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. For a list of scheduled informational meetings, visit mostateparks.com/page/66611/informational-meetings.

The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others amid ongoing public health concerns. Come prepared with hand sanitizer and bottled water, avoid large and congested crowds, and please stay home if sick. Face coverings are encouraged and may be required by local order.

Confederate Memorial State Historic Site is located at 211 W. First St., Higginsville. For more information about the meeting, call 660-584-2853.

For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Interim hours: Now that Session is over for 2020, I will be back in District full time. If you need any assistance my Legislative Assistant Amy Helton will be happy to help you Monday-Thursday.

It is my honor to serve the constituents of District 125. If you ever have questions, concerns, or input, please feel free to contact me any time at (573) 751-4065.

YOUR District 125 Capitol office is 413B, and YOU are always welcome!

If you would like to be added to the e-mail list to receive our Capitol Reports, you may e-mail me at warren.love@house.mo.gov or call the Capitol office at (573) 751-4065 and speak with my Legislative Assistant.